Monday, April 29, 2013

The ALA defines a challenge as "a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness". The top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2012 are:

Mold spores are everywhere and thrive in humid or wet conditions.
Growth is enhanced if conditions include low/no light and poor air circulation
(a basement, garage, closet). Mold can grow on damp paper, leather, cloth, and
wood. When powdery mold is disturbed, spores are released into the air, land,
and germinate. Enzymes in the mold digest the paper and
binding.

Mold can leave you with a stuffy nose, scratchy throat,
and itchy eyes, but for some people with mold
allergies, exposure can bring on an asthma attack. People with health
compromises are at an increased risk for serious infections.

Bugs, such as silverfish, roaches, and several types
of beetles, feast on the proteins and starches in books. They leave holes,
ragged page edges, and eggs. Rats andmice use books and other paper sources as
nesting material. Droppings and urine from pests can also cause allergic
reactions and may carry disease.

Please don’t pass these health hazards on to other people – or books - by donating them.
You’re also putting yourself at risk by handling and transporting them. Instead,
seal infested books in a plastic bag and put them in the
trash. If you have books that you’d like to save, quarantine them and consult a librarian for information or referals.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

"World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading held on April 23, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read. In 2012, World Book Night was celebrated in the U.S., the UK, Ireland, and Germany and saw over 80,000 people gift more than 2.5 million books."

Volunteering provides a chance to learn
new skills, widen your social circle, discover new perspectives, and explore a variety of interests. “People in general are happier and healthier, and may
even live a little longer, when they’re contributing to their community or an
organization they are passionate about", says Stephen G. Post, PhD.﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

National Volunteer Week 20-27 April 2013

﻿Ocee Library
is looking for dedicated volunteers to conduct programs/classes at the Library
to meet community needs for the following:

College Prep/Planning

Mandated High School Driving Safety Class
(P.R.I.D.E.)

ESL for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Citizenship

AARP Defensive
Driving

Contact the Ocee Library Branch
Manager at 770-360-8897 if you’re interested in
sharing your time and expertise or if you’d like more information on volunteer
opportunities.

Friday, April 19, 2013

The American Library Association (ALA) released their
annual State of American Libraries report this week. Highlights
include:

Libraries served over 95% of the US population this
year. Half of those who visited the library said they did so to get help from a librarian. While actual visits to the library decreased, circulation is the
highest in 10 years. Circulation of children’s materials has increased by nearly
30% during the last decade.

Libraries strive not just to keep up with
technology, but to lead the way. They offer computer and internet access,
instruction in new technologies, and ebooks. The library community and
publishers continue to search for equitable solutions that will allow libraries
to buy and lend ebooks while allowing publishers a fair profit.

Libraries “offer a lifeline to people trying to adapt to
challenging economic circumstances by providing technology training and online
resources for employment, access to government resources, continuing education,
retooling for new careers”, according to ALA President Maureen Sullivan.

Budget cuts, branch closings, and reduced
hours and staffing continue to plague many libraries across America. As a result, libraries are looking to Friends groups
for support.

“Public libraries in America continue as strong anchors
for their communities, valued by the people they serve and striving to meet the
changing needs of their service populations. Public libraries continue to be an
essential service for the nation’s children”, said IMLS Director Susan
Hildreth.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

I have on my desk what I’m told is my Grandmother’s
favorite book – “Robert Browning’s Poems”. I wonder which poems spoke to her.

Many of us have poems we carry in our heart or head. In
the Middle Ages, people wrote favorite poems in a commonplace books. Soldiers took pocket editions of poetry to war as talismans to comfort and
cheer.

What words inspire you? Which are your lifelines? Save
them on your iPhone, add them to your social networking page, post them on your
fridge, mail them in a handwritten letter to a friend...

Join
the Academy of American Poets in celebrating National Poem in Your Pocket Day on
Thursday 18 April!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

More than half of YA books are bought by those over 18.
The 30-44 group accounts for over 25% of sales. 78% of that age group said they
bought the books for themselves. Surprised? Maybe not when you realise that Hollywood is cashing in on YA fiction
with movies such as "The Hunger Games",
"Twilight" series, "Life of Pi", "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", and "The Chronicles
of Narnia". Adult fiction authors James Patterson, John
Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and Harlan Coben are among those who’ve taken on teen
market.

The following websites are worth a look. The readergirlz blog
promotes teen literacy and like social services (Operation Teen
Book Drop).Guys Lit Wire dispels the notion that
boys don’t read. The site posts lit news and reviews
for guys by guys. For
those concerned about content, teenlitreviewblog. offers Christian based reviews for tweens and teens written by moms, educators,
and teens. Teen Reads and The Hub feature a bit of everything including polls and contests.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

As part of Library Week, Wednesday is designated Bookmobile
Day.

The nation’s first bookmobile
(wagon) was initiated by Miss Mary Titcomb, the county’s first librarian. The
library’s janitor, driving a team of two horses, began making rounds through the
western Maryland county in April 1905.

Miss
Titcomb reported some resistance at first.

When directions were given as to painting, we
had the fear of looking too much like the laundry wagon before our eyes, and the
man was strictly enjoined, not to put any gilt or scroll work on it but to make
even the lettering, "Washington County Free Library," plain and dignified,
directions carried out only too well, for in the early days of our wagoning, as
our man approached one farm house, he heard a voice charged with nervous
trepidation, call out "Yer needn't stop here. We ain't got no use for the dead
wagon here." Suffice it to say, that we promptly painted the wheels red, and
picked off the panels of the doors with the same cheerful
color.

AFPL carries on the bookmobile tradition. It’s scheduledprimarily at day care centers and senior communities - including those in North
Fulton. Think your facility might qualify for a visit?

Rupert Giles (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), High School librarian, is out to
save the world from demons. Former wizard and possessing mean fighting skills,
he’s a bit of a technophobe.

Barbara Gordon, PhD., head of the Gotham City Library, aka “Batgirl” and now
“Oracle”, brings down the bad guys in Gotham and cyberspace.

Evelyn ‘I am a librarian’ Carnahan (“The Mummy” movies), travels
the world in search of ancient texts and battles the undead.

While library work is not quite as dangerous as for their
fictional counterparts, real life librarians are heroes none the less. They share their technology wizarding skills with patrons, retrieve elusive information with a mouse click, and help us travel the universe with their book recomendations.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Libraries are helping to meet the
needs of communities in unique ways.

The San Jose Public Library (CA) library has social
workers available for one-to-one information and referral sessions twice a
month. Topics include: health care, immigration, domestic violence, and crisis
support.

Pima County (Tuscon, AZ) has the nation’s
first ‘library nurse”. With a faltering economy and high unemployment, some find
themselves without housing or access to healthcare. They come to the library for
shelter and information. Now they can get health screenings, information, and
referrals. "It is new thinking," the Public Library Association's Warner said.
"We are so used to passing out information, but we don't always do such a good
job with following up on that information, making sure people are getting the
help they need."

North Fulton Community
Charities was recently awarded a $200,000 grant from Bank of America.
NFCC has purchased an RV and converted it into a
rolling office to provide assistance to those in areas not served by public
transportation – Johns Creek in particular. The mobile outreach program will
travel to partner sites; several area churches and Ocee Library
.

“The van will extend our ability to offer
critical programs and services that help struggling North Fulton families move
toward self-sufficiency,” said Barbara Duffy, executive director, NFCC. “And the
van also will serve as a traveling ‘billboard’ to help raise awareness of the
growing level of need in our community.”

Call NFCC 678-387-4463 to make an
appointment (required) or for more information.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Community-building connections are happening all the time
at your library. From new moms connecting at storytime to small business owners
convening to make opportunities happen, to teens meeting up after school, the
library helps foster all types of communities. April 14-20 is National Library
Week. Visit your library. Communities matter @ your library.

A message from the American Library Association’s
Campaign for America's Libraries

Monday, April 8, 2013

Don’t miss a chance to have some big fun and support your libraries in the process! Horizon Theater’s, Book Club Play will make you laugh out loud. Atlanta Fulton Public Llibrary Foundation will receive a generous portion of tickets sales purchased on our website. Opening night is Wednesday 15 May.

A comedy about books and the people who love them. Ana lives in a letter-perfect world with an adoring husband, the perfect job, and her greatest passion: Book Club. But when her cherished group becomes the focus of a documentary film...

Beginning Monday 8 April, Ocee Friends will accept donations for our July
Book Sale (check back for details!). Please leave your gently used books, CDs, DVDs in the large plastic storage
box by the water fountain in the lobby.